Flyers 7, Caps 3

The Caps pulled even at 2 on a second-period goal by 2009 draft pick Cody Eakin, but it was all Philly from there in a physical game marked by tons of penalties. The bottom line was this: The Flyers dressed an older and more experienced lineup Friday afternoon and it showed.

*Although James Van Riemsdyk had four goals and an assist for the Flyers' rookies, an argument could be made that Caps' prospect John Carlson was the best player on the ice. He was solid in his own end, wasn't afraid to join the rush and never let up, even when the game was well out of hand.

More important, Carlson ended rookie camp on a high note, sending him into next week's main camp feeling confident.

"On our team, he was by far the best," Coach Bruce Boudreau said of the 2008 first-rounder. "It will obviously be different next week against the big guys. But he showed a lot of confidence, played a lot and even when the score got out of hand, he never quit. He was still rushing the puck, looking for that shot and that just goes to show his character."

*Finley's first game as winger ended with a bang. He got into a late fight with 235-pound Garrett Klotz and held his own.

"That was good for his confidence," Boudreau said. "Klotz is a pretty tough kid and he's 24 years old. Joe met the challenge and did an okay job."

*Anton Gustafsson, another first rounder from 2008, wasn't as noticeable as he probably should have been. Boudreau continued to attribute Gus's tentativeness to the huge Sweden-to-North America adjustment he's making.

"It's all part of the process," Boudreau said. "It's a feeling-out process. We introduced some system stuff to them. But we haven't said, don't be afraid to not sit back and go at them. It's not an easy thing. It takes some guys weeks and months."

*The Caps' goals were scored by Benjamin Casavant, Cody Eakin and Michael Dubuc, who had an impressive rookie camp on the heels of a standout performance in development camp in July.

*The Flyers scored four goals on 12 shots against Braden Holtby, who wasn't as sharp as he had been earlier this week. But to be fair, he didn't get a whole lot of help.

*Defenseman Josh Godfrey, who had an assist, missed the third period with a hip pointer. No idea if he'll be ready for main camp.

*You could have seen this coming: Richmond, Va., native Ryan Jasinsky got into two fights with Matt Clackson. Jasinsky, who was one of the best fighters in the QMJHL last year, traded jabs with Clackson in the first bout. He suffered a cut on his right hand in the first-period fight, but came back for more in the third. At least Jasinsky's knows what's going to get him to the pros.

*The Caps now lead the rookie series with the Flyers two games to one.

the feed stunk, it showed an overhead view from behind Holtby's goal, hardly could see the other side of the ice. I mean Im not too dissappointed it's just a practice game. glad the boys got to participate.

He was still rushing the puck, looking for that shot and that just goes to show his character."

Thats all Boudreau has to say about Carlson? that he was looking to score goals even when the game was out of hand? man, is that what defines "character" in the new NHL? I would have liked to have heard "yeah that Carlson kid was playing the body till the last second and not giving an inch on the ice even though the score was out of hand".

Don't get me wrong, I think Carlson is a well rounded player who does have character but I really dislike it when the coach and this org just keeps hammering this point that as long as you try to be an offensive player that seemingly nothing else matters.

From a Swedish friend involved with Modo hockey club, Gustafsson is a very frisky player possessing sub-par skills compared to the most recent crop of young Swedish players drafter in the NHL. He would be hardly noticeable in Sweden if not for his name.
I haven't seen him myself so I can not judge but my friend laughed when I questioned him about him ever being a regular in the NHL...
Carlson is the real deal though...may get much better than Green as he is much more complete.
I hope we get to see a bit of Bouchard and Perrault this year even if they need to get more experience in Hershey. These are two exciting hockey players.

Holtby was much better at practice this morning. He shouldn't be judged by this one game.

@hock1: After Ovi and Semin arrived this morning they greeted their teammates on the bench, then went back into the locker room/training area. 10-15 minutes later Ovi came out in his gear and joined the rotations. Semin didn't suit up, but when I saw him later it looked like he might have come from the training room. I never saw Flash, so I can't say what he was up to.

cranton1:
he also said: "It will obviously be different next week against the big guys. But he showed a lot of confidence, played a lot and even when the score got out of hand, he never quit."
i think this could also qualify as part of the "character" point BB was trying to make. i don't believe that 'rushing the puck' and 'looking for that shot' are the only things BB sees as character. i'm not even sure if all of BB comments were included in this post by TEB. i do believe that you will look for any reason to slam BB, GMGM and/or ted. is it really in your nature to interpret everything in such a negative light?

gocaps01: Is the YOUR blog? If so that is what's wrong with the internet, most people believe what they read. Pothier isn't even 1 year symptom free of post concussion syndrom. There is not a team in the league that will take Pothier until he's proven he's beaten this concussion issue. I believe there is a Caps defenseman on the move as long as all the defenseman come out of camp healthy. That defenseman IMO would be ShaMo. His salary removed from the books put us under the Cap, with a little additional room to spare. If you have some valid information to prove your Pothier theory I'd love to hear it.

Yeah, I have no idea why Pothier would be the one traded. He is a part of this organization, he makes appearances with nhl brass as the Caps rep., etc. He isn't going anywhere. Now if you said ShaMo, Juice, or even Poti it would be a bit more understandable.

I also doubt that the Thrashers would not sign Max for the league minimum, as well as other teams.

Notables missing who were (are) on the trading block (or unsigned at the time of the tickets being printed)in the summer and possibly now - Theodore, Nylander, ShaMo, Jurchina, Schultz, Gordon, Fehr & Alzner.

speaking of sweden which has produced a ton of world class hockey players over the years, wonder why it hasn't produced any world class racecar drivers such as its neighbor finland which has produced quite a few F1 drivers over the years including 3 world champions. it only trails the UK which has produced 9.

if you compare the hockey players, the players from finland seem to be more flashy than the swedes which explains why it has produced more prolific goal scorers than sweden which typically produces better all around players. also probably explains finland's love for racing.

Joek443- Have you ever driven in Finland? Going to the store is like driving a pro rally. The roads are the worst of the worst. Then there are so many lakes(most of which freeze solid) where people drive around. Sweden has fairly nice roads from Malmo to Luleo.

billieb: Your question is flawed as Sweden is a pretty big place. Stockholm has soooo many good places to eat alone you can barely go wrong. Gavle has a kick ass pizza place in the shopping center with the Bolaget and an AMAZING swedish/mexican buffet across the street. I heartily recommend eating at a Max. They have some kick ass burgers(for a fast food place)with some decidedly swedish decor. If you want the best place to eat, get a swedish girlfriend and go to her family's house for dinner. I am obsessed with the Sill or whatever fish salsa (and eva).